Great little dress, cute hat, kinda fabulously different clutch; but here’s the thing: isn’t this all just a bit too parade float? With the red and white color scheme and the prominent maple leaf details in the hat, she’s a walking flag. This would be as if she showed up in America for the 4th of July and wore a red and white striped dress and blue hat with white stars all over it. There’s patriotic salute, and then there’s Wonder Woman’s costume. Granted, we’re not looking at this with Canadian eyes, so maybe it doesn’t read quite so “Miss Canada.” Besides, she looks good. We just question whether the look was a bit literal.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Evening National Canada Day Celebrations.

There’s a little too much gathering going on, but she’s thin enough to pull a dress like this off and we love the color on her. A bit of a plain look, but then again, the public is going to have to get used to the idea that she’s not emulating her mother-in-law; she’s emulating her Grandmother-in-law. She’s never going to be the showy “people’s princess.” She’s clearly doing the “winning hearts and minds” thing by coming across mature, stable, and put-together, just like dear old Grandmum. That means she’ll almost always be well-dressed, but she’ll rarely ever really surprise the fashion press. And to make this point clear, she’s wearing Grandma Betty’s maple leaf brooch, which she wore to Canada in 1951 as Princess Elizabeth. Nice touch.

I totally adore that clutch! And what a perfect touch to wear the maple leaf pin.

Anonymous

someone get this girl some more interesting shoes. she doesn’t have to wear the rainbow of secretarial pumps for the rest of her life.

Alisa Rivera

I think comfort is an issue. She has to stand for hours and more fashionable shoes would probably tear up her feet. Plus she has to wear hose so open toes are out.

Anonymous

I feel sorry for her having to wear hose in that heat yesterday. The women behind her are flaunting bare legs.

She needs to learn how to stand better if she’s going to survive years of parades and presentations. The way she’s standing now, with her pelvis slightly tilted back is really tough on the lower back, especially in heels.

Anonymous

I think they both look gorgeous. Will looks dashing in the picture where they both stand in profile. He looks younger than he is, she looks older – the opposite of the other images we see of them. I think if they’d both dress down and go grocery shopping like any other mortals they would look like a very cute and cool couple.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Aldona-Dye/216300255 Aldona Dye

I know! I was kinda surprised that TLo didn’t give Wills a small shoutout. He looks great, and isn’t in a buttoned-up jacket.

Anonymous

Word.

Patricia Biswanger

YES! She put her hair up! I am so happy.

The white and red outfit is a little parade-float, but I am sure the people in Canada loved it. It’s part of the job.

Anonymous

I usually enjoy looking at what they’re wearing — but it’s getting old already. By which I mean, they dress old. I know they’re royalty but come on, I really do think they don’t have to be quite so stiff and stuffy (maybe ESPECIALLY given that Di broke through that barrier for them. Not that they have to be Di — heck, I thought a lot of her stuff looked catalog — but that she’s given them the perfect excuse to at least have a little more flexibility.)

Alisa Rivera

Diana caused major problems for the royals so I think Kate is consciously presenting herself as not-Diana. Diana was emotionally unstable, gave interviews and leaked embarrassing information to the media, had affairs. Kate seems to understand exactly what she married into and she’s trying to fit into the Firm as seamlessly as possible. So that will mean playing it super-safe on the wardrobe.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2CNDPMVO4W23R5TVC2QMTJ5BZE Heather

To be fair, Charles had affairs too.

Anonymous

Diana wasn’t a groundbreaking dresser, she dressed like most other posh girls of her generation would have if they were on show most of the time. She was just the first young female royal in a while, and one who liked clothes better than horses. Put her in todays context and her outfits wouldn’t be that much different to Catherine’s.

Anonymous

Though Diana *did* put her foot wrong by wearing things the stuffier Royals disapproved of before the divorce – at the time the gossip rags claimed both that the palace didn’t provide her with enough support & guidance and that she was rebelliously pushing their boundaries. Whatever, I think it’s true that the family business has accepted a less formal standard for the younger royals than was held at the time.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=621974740 Carolyn Wilson

You have to remember that Diana became a real fashion icon after the divorce. Royal Protocol would have dictated what she wore until she was no longer the future Queen.

Anonymous

For anyone who has followed the Wills & Kate saga since she was photographed with Wills at Klosters in 2005, it’s clear she has a style and she is sticking to it. I think it might get a little more sophisticated should she become Princess of Wales, but I don’t think she will ever veer into post-divorce Diana style of dressing. It’s just not what a future Queen Consort does.

http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

Honestly, I don’t think she’d even want to do so. It doesn’t seem like her style — I think she likes those more classic, conservative looks. While some consideration has certainly been paid to protocols, she’d probably be dressing very similarly if she was married to any other man as well.

Not everyone wants to be “interesting” in their fashion choices.

Anonymous

For anyone who has followed the Wills & Kate saga since she was photographed with Wills at Klosters in 2005, it’s clear she has a style and she is sticking to it. I think it might get a little more sophisticated should she become Princess of Wales, but I don’t think she will ever veer into post-divorce Diana style of dressing. It’s just not what a future Queen Consort does.

Anonymous

She looks great in both outfits. I love the clutch. She looks happy to be with what’s-his-name. I hope it lasts.

http://www.joannao.blogspot.com JoannaOC

I’m inspired by the jewel tones she likes to wear. I think she’d look fabulous with a few more pounds–softer–but she is fit, so the rangy look is fine.

http://diaryofaconsumerpunchingbag.blogspot.com/ Laura Ann Springer

LOVED THE CLUTCH… as a bit of a bag whore myself I love watching for interesting bags. The hat was a little too much, liked both dresses but the purple one could have been richer in color.

Anonymous

Oh…the hat. Somebody should point out to her that what looks stylish in aristocratic circles in England, looks ridiculous in Canada. Young woman don’t wear those silly little toppers in Canada.

Charlotte Casiraghi – now there’s a royal who manages to look regal, and young and beautiful without dressing like a middle-aged lady.

Not a purse person myself, as I generally go for practicality and use one purse for the whole of each season. However, the fan clutch really bowled me over: so different and fun. And I would wear the Queen’s maple-leaf brooch in a heartbeat; I think it’s stunning and timeless.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P5HNP4MUD3ZNKTM5F2WQDDLZ4U BarbaraW

Just planning and managing her wardrobe for a trip like this must be a major undertaking, especially if she’s going to be changing or different events on the same day. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Dresses, jewelry, purses, hats, shoes, hose, makeup, hair – all perfectly maintained and strategically chosen, and then ripped in the press if she makes even the tiniest mistake. Being a princess is tough. I’m not sure the wealth and fame would be worth it to me.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P5HNP4MUD3ZNKTM5F2WQDDLZ4U BarbaraW

Just planning and managing her wardrobe for a trip like this must be a major undertaking, especially if she’s going to be changing or different events on the same day. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Dresses, jewelry, purses, hats, shoes, hose, makeup, hair – all perfectly maintained and strategically chosen, and then ripped in the press if she makes even the tiniest mistake. Being a princess is tough. I’m not sure the wealth and fame would be worth it to me.

Anonymous

What’s always boggled my mind is that supposedly they travel with suitable mourning clothes in case there’s a significant death or major tragedy while they’re on the road. Now, that’s prepared!

Anonymous

Especially as she is not travelling with a dresser.

Grace Ritt

I love her hat, and I really wish people could wear those types of hats in the US without looking like crazies.
Those last two pictures are might derp-y. I love them.

Grace Ritt

I love her hat, and I really wish people could wear those types of hats in the US without looking like crazies.
Those last two pictures are might derp-y. I love them.

Anonymous

I have to disagree, T-Lo about the hat. I don’t think it was over the top at all. I think she looks splendid in every respect, THIN to the point of fear, but splendid. I like that hat, though I wish she had worn her hair up with it. The dress is fine, and the fan shaped clutch is a treat after all her safe little purses so far.

The purple dress with her hair up is awesomely wonderful on her. Sure, its no revelation sartorially speaking, but damn if the girl doesn’t nearly work that dress right outta the place.

Anonymous

I have to disagree, T-Lo about the hat. I don’t think it was over the top at all. I think she looks splendid in every respect, THIN to the point of fear, but splendid. I like that hat, though I wish she had worn her hair up with it. The dress is fine, and the fan shaped clutch is a treat after all her safe little purses so far.

The purple dress with her hair up is awesomely wonderful on her. Sure, its no revelation sartorially speaking, but damn if the girl doesn’t nearly work that dress right outta the place.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B53PQYXSJR4YJBV3J6BWYSICRQ Jamie

love the red and white outfit. And doesn’t Bill look good with his open collar??

Anonymous

I was gonna mention something about Bill looking mighty cool when he’s in dress down mode. No wonder she fell like a ton of bricks for him.

Anonymous

I was gonna mention something about Bill looking mighty cool when he’s in dress down mode. No wonder she fell like a ton of bricks for him.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B53PQYXSJR4YJBV3J6BWYSICRQ Jamie

love the red and white outfit. And doesn’t Bill look good with his open collar??

Anonymous

If I were to form an opinion based on this one occasion, I would have to disagree with you guys about her wearing her hair up more. While I like the fact that we can see her face (always a consideration for a public figure), her hair looks lifeless and flat and too severe. Plus, in her current super skinny state, she looks just a touch scary without the fullness of her hair to round her out a bit.

And the purple dress is just not rocking my world. The solid purple knit just falls as flat as her hair. Here is a girl who can wear graphic prints beautifully and she should have done so here.

Anonymous

Kate looks fab in both outfits! Not over the top at all. Love the pulled back hair and the historic brooch.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2NINENELWQ63ZBY6NLK5UKX64A Stephanie

Isn’t that first dress her engagement photo dress? I love how she wears outfits more than once. She looks great!

http://profiles.google.com/yhawkins13 Yolanda Hawkins

You are right. It is the dress she wore for the official engagement picture. She looks fab. And Bill looks great in casual mode.

Blue dress for the announcement but in the official photos by Mario Testino she was wearing this white one.

Lori B

In context, her Canada Day celebration outfit was perfect. On another person it could have seemed costumey or corny but on Kate, it was just adorable. And her smile goes on forever.

I wish she had been able to attend the wedding in Monaco to see what she would have worn. TLo, looking forward to your coverage, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many people in one place dressed so well.

I don’t necessarily agree that her clostyle will always be staid. She’s still

I think what’s showy about her is her smile. She seems genuinely happy and comfortable in her new role and with Wils. Love her!

Yosa Addiss

LOVE their body language! They are standing together as a pair so beautifully. hurrah!

Anonymous

“Tlo said: Great little dress, cute hat, kinda fabulously different clutch; but here’s the thing: isn’t this all just a bit too parade float?”

Yeah, it is a bit parade floaty. But then again, they’re on parade (or at least display). And I give her a pass on the hat as crazy hats are one of those charmingly British eccentricities that we love.

I agree on all counts. You said it better than I could. Enjoy your weekend.

Alisa Rivera

I have a couple of friends in Canada and they loved her fascinator and the maple leaf pin, so I don’t think it’s reading as too literal for folks over there.

Is it me or is William uber-hot in the second set of photos? Married life is doing him good.

Susan Cowan

Ick. Outfit number one is a wreck. That dress has enough going on without a pin stuck to it and the addition of a novelty bag and hat.

Anonymous

she didn’t have a pin on in the first outfit. the jewelery there was lowkey. the mapleleaf pin wa the focus of the second look.

Anonymous

The chinoiserie clutch goes a little too far into “Manila Luzon” territory for my tastes, and certainly not with that hat. Two kitsches don’t make a right.

http://twitter.com/aidanboleyn Aidan B

I LOVE that purple on her!! That is definitely her best look of the trip so far.
I agree with TLo about her looking a bit parade-y, but I still think that fan clutch is fabulous.

Mary Panjari

I find it annoying that she is not wearing couture. I don’t give a fuck about clothes that I can afford. The bitch is royal for fuck’s sake! Wear something amazing, you can afford it!

http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

The royal family doesn’t wear a ton of couture and they never really have. For black and white tie occasions, certainly, but most of their clothes are the kind of clothing that you’d find on most wealthy people of their age: designer, but not ultra-high end couture.

http://twitter.com/omsafeeya Omsafeeya

I’m not wild about either dress — the white one has too much going on and seems too short for the occasion. The purple one, and I LOVE purple, doesn’t seem to fit her properly — too big. But she looks happy, put together and easy to see. Her long hair obscured the diamond pin on the white dress — glad to see it come out on the purple in the evening when her hair didn’t cover it up.

http://wipgirl.wordpress.com/ kristel

Well, I’m Canadian and the fascinator is a little too literal for my tastes, but it’s sort of a dorky-cute thing to wear. (And I can imagine a $5 knock-off being sold in Zellers in time for next Canada Day.) Maybe if she hadn’t been wearing three Canadian-flag-red pieces with a white white white dress it wouldn’t read quite so parade float. If it had been a darker red or something different with the rest of the accessories?

Anyway, the thing I find nicest about all these pictures of them is that they actually seem happy. Not just when they’re out communing with the mortals (like at the young volunteers dinner – Will out of the suit entirely at that one – or shaking hands and kissing babies), but when they’re talking to one another, they just both look happy. Obviously that’s part of the job, never to seem tired or bored or sick to effing death of it all, but it’s nice to see.

Anonymous

As an American living in Canada, I gotta say that the comparison of wearing maple leaves, etc. to wearing stars and stripes on July 4 is completely off. Wearing red & white on Canada day is pretty much universally accepted, and doesn’t carry the same political connotations wearing a flag in the US might. If she hadn’t gone all out for Canada Day, she would have been skewered in the press and in public opinion.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMIFZ6A7BHP66M546AO77BWVQ4 Bonnie

How adorable that she wore Will’s grandmum’s maple leaf pin. Wills and Kate seem enthralled with each other, which, after 10 years together is pretty sweet.
bitchybitchybitchy

MilaXX

I like both outfits. I get what you are saying about the red/white outfit, but I think that’s her thing. She tries to do the subtle theme thing like the military McQueen coat. The purple is pretty, but I think she love her hair too much to wear it up very often. Can’t say I blame her, her hair is gorgeous.

Anonymous

The red-and-white *is* too literal (and that hat is kind of ridiculous, in my eyes) but trust me, it will have been appreciated. 90% of the plebes in the crowd would have been in the same colour combo, or would have wrapped themselves in the flag, or painted it on their faces. Love the dress and the clutch, though I can’t believe she was wearing long sleeves during the day – does becoming a Windsor mean one no longer sweats?

http://twitter.com/lauralexis Laura

Yes, the red and white outfit is literal, but I can assure you, no Canadian would fault her for it; every Canadian I know loved it. We wear red and white on our national holiday, and it’s nice that she did too.

http://twitter.com/m_blanch Michelle Blanchard

Have to agree with the other Canadians here — the red, white and leaf was not too much. Wearing red and white on Canada Day is a long-standing, frequently honoured tradition, particularly if you’re in Ottawa and going to the celebration on the Hill. I think it was pretty clever — close to 300,000 people showed up to see Will and Kate yesterday morning and in a people in staid suits, she was very visible without being tacky. (Like, really, after the number of people I saw literally wearing flags in downtown Ottawa yesterday, her cute little hat can NOT be called tacky.)

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3KCDEX4FOTCFHZP6WLKSOOKUVM Danielle

Everything in the second outfit should work, but I think it ages her at least 20 years – especially the hair. The woman in the second set of pictures looks like the woman in the first’s mother.

Anonymous

Literal or not she looks great in the white dress+red hat and the cluch is too cute for words. I think it’s one of her best looks. If it is too canadian i have to supose Canada agrees with her! But sinse i’m not Canadian, at fist i didn’t notice at all the mapple leafs and colour combo. I just saw a young woman looking her best.
And will without a tie looks young,fresh and totally adorable.

Anonymous

Literal or not she looks great in the white dress+red hat and the cluch is too cute for words. I think it’s one of her best looks. If it is too canadian i have to supose Canada agrees with her! But sinse i’m not Canadian, at fist i didn’t notice at all the mapple leafs and colour combo. I just saw a young woman looking her best.
And will without a tie looks young,fresh and totally adorable.

Anonymous

As a Canadian, I can tell you EVERYONE dresses like a flag on Canada day! Kate fit right in!

Anonymous

As a Canadian, I can tell you EVERYONE dresses like a flag on Canada day! Kate fit right in!

Anonymous

I love your discussion of Cathy Cambridge and her man! I especially like your insight into historicizing her sartorial choices. I would never have made the grandmum-in-law connection. I think both of these outfits work for the occasion.

Anonymous

I love your discussion of Cathy Cambridge and her man! I especially like your insight into historicizing her sartorial choices. I would never have made the grandmum-in-law connection. I think both of these outfits work for the occasion.

Anonymous

I love how they always seem to have a lot to say to one another, and how it appears that he cracks her up. They are just fascinating to watch.

Anonymous

Yes indeed! They do seem to entertain and enjoy each other so much, practically as their Default setting — esp. impressive since they’ve pretty much been a couple for such a long time.

I’m also struck by how poised and *engaged* she is during all these official events — an absolute natural.
And isn’t she just the smiliest individual?! You check out any series of photos and – unless, you know, it’s a prayer or wreath-laying or serious speech – she’s just smiling her head off.

So genuinely charming and good-humored . . . frankly (and sadly), rare to see in any public person these days.
Here’s hoping that life-as-a-Windsor doesn’t beat it out of her.

(Smitten much?? hee!)

Anonymous

I wish she had worn a different shoe with the first outfit.

The purple dress really shows off her pin and both are gorgeous.

Anonymous

She looks pretty and put together and chic in a low-key way, but if you put someone less thin and less youthful into the same outfits the look would surely signal Mother of the Bride, Rehearsal Dinner Edition (a very wealthy, well-dressed, classy MOB, but still). Or Chairwoman of the Gala Fundraiser, perhaps. The pin is a thoughtful touch and I love the clutch. The white dress looks too big. As for her shoes, perhaps it is not “done” to show royal toes at official events. I can’t imagine why not but these rules aren’t going to make sense.

Anonymous

Oh and one more thing. She has such narrow hips, I worry about what’s going to happen when she fulfills her royal duty and produces a direct heir to the throne.

Wills is looking so sexy, hot in these photos! I think I’d get hair if I were him, but he’s a hottie in those open collar shots.

http://vhanna26.typepad.com Vera

Cute clutch!

Anonymous

I adore the red fascinator; it’s adorably over-the-top. And about as risky as we’ll probably ever see her go, too — you’re right, she’s definitely going to play it safe in the wardrobe department. Although, to be fair, she’s always dressed tastefully but conservatively, from what I can tell; that’s her style, and will clearly work well for her as part of the Firm.

I definitely get the impression that William is proud to show her off, though. He seems much happier with her beside him than he’s seemed in a public appearance in ages; I’m sure that after ten years of seeing each other out of the public eye all the time, it must be nice to show her off. And why not? She’s gorgeous, charming, and seems to be fitting seamlessly into her new princess role. I’m sure the Queen adores her as much as everybody else seems to — she’ll make a beautiful queen herself someday. And she really does look gorgeous in jewel tones.

Anonymous

Can we PLEASE stop talking about them as amazing and worshiping them as though they were not mortals and just stick to the clothes?

This woman received a minimal “rich kid” education deliberately at the same school the future king of England was attending, and chose the same path of study. In the eight years since she left school, all she’s done is go on beachy vacations and hang out at nightclubs and wait for this man to finally propose after cheating on her with a number of other women. She has neither pursued an interesting career or philanthropic/charity work. Simply worked on her tan (apparently, without sunscreen) and clung to a dream straight out the 18th century

She is not a remarkable person, she is a smug cat who caught the canary, unambitious in every way except for those that allowed her to gain money and social status. To be a woman born into every advantage and then be called remarkable when the only advantage she utilized was her looks.

Let’s stick to the clothes please. She is tall and thin and has alot of money. This can mean great clothes, and not necessarily anything else…

Anonymous

It’s entirely possible that your interpretation is correct. I have to admit I do admire the discipline and work she’s put into trapping her man, even if she could have done something more worthwhile. Perhaps because I sincerely doubt in her place I would marry a FutureKingofEngland even if I fell hard for one – and if I did it would be a disaster because I’d hate the life. If she’s going to be the Nancy to Will’s Ronnie, as I think entirely possible, well somebody was going to do it.

Anonymous

Just as I don’t, I doubt you truly have any inside information on who and what she is and what were/are her motivations.

Any chance you are that person who runs the Royal Forum Moron twitter page. If you aren’t, you would probably feel quite at home there.

Anonymous

Who’s worshiping her? I was commenting more on the fact that I think she’s doing a good job of fitting into the job she’s picked for herself, being a full-time royal. I can’t imagine opting for that life even if I had the choice; as we saw with Diana, it’s pretty brutal to some outsiders. But whatever her education or work history, she’s still able to smile and be charming in public, and to wear nice clothes well, and to look and act appropriately at public events. Oh, and to put up with photographers in her face every chance they can get, and to face being written about in every tabloid around the world. That’s her new job, and it’s not just a day job; it’s a full-time gig. And William seems a lot happier to be facing his job as a public royal with her next to him; it’s pretty obvious they’re in love, and you may be cynical about it, but I enjoy seeing a couple obviously enjoying each other.

Just because you appear to hate her (and probably him, too) doesn’t mean she’s not making him happy, or doing her new job well.

http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

So you’re telling me that there is no other possible reason that she could have chosen that school or that major? That it had to have been out of some insane idea that she could trap a Prince? I mean, honestly, why would this have even occurred to her (or her mother as I have heard before)? Sorry, but any good social climber would know that in her position, the Crown Prince is aiming too high and would have worked on going for an influential lower-ranking royal. The idea that this was some sort of elaborate plan dating back to before she even began University is utterly ridiculous.

And how stupid would Wills have to be to fall for it if it was? He’s been fending off women only interested in his name for years, and you think he doesn’t have a decent radar for bullshit? And neither does anyone else in the royal family, so they just let this relationship carry on?

As for their on and off status at some points, I don’t suppose it ever occurred to you that she might actually LOVE him. Enough to try to work things out and forgive mistakes that he made. That maybe that was why she was willing to wait so long: so they could work out their problems ahead of time?

I don’t see how her lack of a significant career is an issue either way. Not everyone is overflowing with ambition, nor do they all need to be. Besides, their relationship became public knowledge BEFORE they graduated. Which means she already had to be leery about who she associated with because of his position. Not to mention the fact that she was an ART HISTORY major. Do you know how many art history majors graduate and can’t find jobs? Unlike most of them, she couldn’t really take some crappy job while waiting for something in her field to open up because she was the girlfriend of the Crown Prince!

And I think it’s perfectly fine to refer to her as “remarkable”. She has had a tremendous amount of pressure and scrutiny placed on her, and has handled it beautifully.

aussiegal77

Not loving the clutch in the first outfit, seems a bit much. Loved her red hat and white suit though. LOVED the purple dress but I wonder if peep toes have been banned by royal decree? A peep toe shoe would have been fab with that purple dress.

aussiegal77

Fantastic touch wearing Betty’s maple leaf brooch – this gal knows her audience. You can bet the Royal Watchers are writing this up breathlessly as we speak and pledging eternal fealty to the crown. Too bad for a republican like me =D But hey – I can still enjoy the royal fashions! =D

http://twitter.com/Daleksneedhugs Megan

She looks terrifying in that last picture.

Anonymous

Love Betty’s pin and love that she’s not trying to emulate Diana, of whom I was never a fan.

Anonymous

The only thing I don’t like about the white dress outfit is the color of the shoes – a bit too matchy with the red pumps. But she still looks fab.

Anonymous

I started thinking she was dressing too literally when she wore that navy dress with the buttons to the military ceremony. I loved the dress and it looked great on her, but in that context it came off as playing dress-up. Same thing with the little white dress she wore to Wimbledon. But this “I’m the Canadian flag!” ensemble actually goes so far into literal that it’s hilarious, and I can’t help but love it. The girl has a sense of humor, and can show it while still looking polished – good for her.

This kind of polished-yet-loaded-with-symbolism dressing reminds me of Janie Bryant dressing the ladies of Mad Men, actually; that world of meaning that T&L have illuminated so well for us. I think Cathy C. here understands that she is dressing herself for an acting role and is determined to have fun with it.

Jenna Kuhmann

Oooo, I disagree on the hair. I think it is so much prettier down and loose. She looks very pretty in both pictures.

http://joansbooks.blogspot.com/ lilithcat

First outfit is dreadful. The fit of the dress (suit?) is bad, and the red hat/purse/shoe combo is too darn much.

She should wear her hair up more, particularly if she’s going to insist on wearing those little pancake hats. They look stupid on long, loose hair.

LOVE both outfits. It’s not her job to “surprise the fashion press.” Looking well-dressed and pulled-together is what she should do. After all the scandal in that family, it’s comforting to see a young royal who is not wearing a “loo-cover hat” (see Eugenie, Royal Wedding).

Anonymous

I think the red and white looks fantastic and very appropriate for the occassion. I don’t like the purple quite as much. I don’t know whether or not she’s making any consious decision to be unlike Diana in her style of dress. So many of Diana’s 80’s outfits were over-the-top and and sometimes, a bit garish. The clothes reflected the era.

Sara__B

She hit just the right amount of Canadian flag for Canada Day. I lived in Canada for years and my kids were born there (one on Canada Day). She made millions of Canadians very happy by dressing like this, and she looked stylish and elegant as well. As usual. And that clutch is fabulous.

David Albright

I personally hoe that Kathy does this for all her future visits, think of the wonderful possibilities, a visit to Jamaica with a black yellow and green dress and then a fascinator in the shape of large joint.

http://verenahafner.wordpress.com/ Verena

It’s some sort of royal tradition to wear an all white and red outfit on this occasion. The Queen and Fergie have done it before her. However, the clutch bugged me. Girl cannot accessories.

The purple outfit is just ghastly. Sorry, Cathy!

All in all I think she had a pretty good run on her own for the first few weeks but hope she’ll get professional help soon.
—
verenahafner.wordpress.coom

Anonymous

It’s funny. The first outfit reads orange and white on my screen. I was giddy because I love the orange and thought it was tres chic of her…not having read any text at that point regarding Canada Day…etc. Then I read and turns out it’s a red and white combo – DUH – I still love it and think it quite appropriate for the occasion. Plus anything looks good with that smile. Carry on Cathy!

Anonymous

I just have to get it off my chest: I hate those little hats, fascinators, whatever they’re called. In this case, okay, I get it: maple leaves. But it doesn’t matter. They’re so, I don’t know… anachronistic.

http://twitter.com/xbrandoncarroll Brandon Carroll

It’s fairly normal to see people wearing entire outfits of red and white on Canada Day in Canada. Yesterday I even saw a few people with clothes made out of Canadian flags.

Anonymous

I think those of us who are not royalty cannot frakking imagine (sorry, been watching BSG) what it takes to live up to more than 1000 years of tradition, pomp and circumstance, and the public’s expectations of The Royal Family. While many may think it’s an anachronism, and that the members ought to be able to do/wear anything they please, I’m sure that is quite simply not the case. I applaud William and Catherine for the maturity they obviously have, and the choices they must make, knowing all their lives, (and in the case of Kate, since she made the choice to date him), that someday they will be the King and Queen (Princess?, don’t know the protocol) of England. Try to imagine that hanging over you, and knowing that every move you make will be super scrutinized. At least with the President and First Lady, they may have had the desire for that life, but they were not born to it.

I am pleased to know that this young couple exists in the world, showing folks what dignity, happiness, love, fun, wealth, privilege, fame and strength of character can look and behave like.

Stepping off my soapbox, I love all the choices Kate made here, especially the beautiful maple leaf pin from the family, and am glad to hear from the Canadians in the audience that she would have been criticized if she had not honored Canada Day in this manner.

Anonymous

If William ascends to the throne, Catherine will be a queen consort. Nana Betty is a queen regnant.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QCJEZMOV4VYMXC5WJALLZNYEB4 Mari Rose

Mature is right. She looks about 10 years older than she actually is. Maybe if she gained a little weight, her face would fill out and she wouldn’t have that middle-aged socialite look anymore.

On a different topic, are you going to cover the Prince Albert / Charlene Wittstock hostage taking wedding?

Anonymous

In her less flattering pictures she looks like a prettier Maria Shriver, I think. Big teeth/grin, dark hair, very thin.

Anonymous

In her less flattering pictures she looks like a prettier Maria Shriver, I think. Big teeth/grin, dark hair, very thin.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QCJEZMOV4VYMXC5WJALLZNYEB4 Mari Rose

Mature is right. She looks about 10 years older than she actually is. Maybe if she gained a little weight, her face would fill out and she wouldn’t have that middle-aged socialite look anymore.

On a different topic, are you going to cover the Prince Albert / Charlene Wittstock hostage taking wedding?

Judy_J

Catherine is obviously a young woman who knows how to dress appropriately for the occasion and her position, and she knows how to look good doing it. I salute her!

Anonymous

I loved the hat. Just the right touch of whimsy for Canada Day. And she looks fabulous in the purple. I love seeing someone who dresses in what suits her rather than what suits the fashion industry. She has a personal style which is so refreshing to see. Most celebrities function as mannequins with feet, dressed by their stylists in clothes that often don’t fit or flatter them. Kate has a personal style. She knows how she wants to look and dresses that way. Good for her.

I was actually thinking of the Monagasque wedding that occured earlier today when I saw the red and white! Where is your report on that coming?

Anonymous

and Kate Moss’ wedding pics… I’m sure there’s something to be said on that

Anonymous

I like seeing him buttoned down. But I don’t see anything wrong with what she’s wearing on both occasions. Like ShelleyO, she’s dressing to please her audience, and that’s alright with me.

margaret meyers

ShelleyO pushes the envelope more. I remember during the recent visit to EngLand that Mrs. O was dressing so young, and Mrs. W was dressing so old. I think Mrs. O is going for a simple, paired-down look so that she looks modern and sends a message of “modern monarchy,” which she had her husband will have to define.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1046681022 Paula Berman

Are you going to cover Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock’s wedding in Monaco this weekend? So looking forward to your coverage of all these royal shebangs.

Lisa

I asked the same thing in the last Bill & Cathy post, Paula, so I’m with you!

ArKane Fyre

As a Canadian, I think her co-ordinated white and red outfit is adorable.

Though, I’m going to disagree on “thin enough to pull the purple dress off”. I think she’s too skinny. I like girls with a bit more curve filling out that kind of dress.

She has plenty of years to look old, would like to see her dress younger.

http://twitter.com/vuongsbird Robin V

I love that she’s going for more of a Betty than a Diana. But seriously someone needs to get this girl some food to eat!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MEEUT6X22A7YC3ARSUSZSJSUV4 Karen

To my Canadian eyes Cathy looks great – not over the top at all. I live a couple of blocks away from Parliament Hill, and my neighbourhood on Canada Day is full of people in all sorts of red and white maple leaf adorned gear, including hats. I saw giant Dr. Seussish top hats, hats that make the wearers heads look like the top of a maple leaf, flag-printed hijabs, umbrella hats, etc. There were also tonnes of young women in fascinators this year, for obvious reasons.

Okay, yeah, so we’re dorks. I just like to think that Kate was participating in our national geekiness in her own classy way.

trust me, with my Canadian eyes it looks VERY patriotic in a costumey way, but I also saw a lot of ordinary people yesterday wearing team canada jackets, white capris and red shoes, so… we love it for it’s kitschyness.

Lisa

Yeah, I caught the red, white and blue theme right away. But then again, I’m sure in Canada, the look is playing a bit differently – I still think she looks great. And the purple number is GORGEOUS!
Plus, she knows she’s going to be compared to her late mother-in-law forever, the constant “Is she dressed as well as Diana?” scrutiny, blah blah blah. The fact that she has her own style, yet has little nods to both Diana AND Elizabeth is nice. It probably helps keep her sane to just dress like herself and add little homages here and there with things like the ring and the brooch.

Anonymous

Plus, she didn’t get where she is by ever, ever, EVER forgetting what is expected of her in a public appearance. I don’t know if her taste is really conservative or she’s just made fitting into her role a priority, but just going to a good school, having financially successful parents, and meeting a royal don’t give you the knowledge she’s shown of how to handle yourself in public. (see also: Diana, Princess of Wales). Girlfriend has practiced/been coached in how to stand, sit, move, speak, respond to the public & the press, what to wear, not to wear, etc., etc.

http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

I would assume she has made it a high priority, just like a lot of wives of influential men. If you love your husband, you want him to be happy and if he’s constantly have to fend off criticism of you, he’s probably not happy. And if you’re always being criticized, you aren’t happy either, so he’s not going to be happy because you aren’t.

I do the same thing for business functions with my husband and he’s in transportation! But at least a couple times a month, we’ll be invited to go to dinner or drinks with clients. From the minute I start getting dressed I’m thinking about how it’s going to be received: my hair is softer and more conservative, my make-up is very neutral, my dresses are conservative. And I spend the entire night making sure I’m pulling off the right impression. That’s with only have to do a couple evenings a month; Kate has to be on every minute she’s out of her own home!

Anonymous

This is exactly what Princess Diana used to do. Don’t you remember her dress that matched the Japanese flag?

Anonymous

I think her best accessory is her smile – it seems very genuine. It’s not the shy-Di grin, which sometimes seemed forced. I think Cathy Cambridge is an extroverted personality who’s having the time of her life.

Anonymous

Adore them both. I get happy just seeing them!

http://twitter.com/xingcat xingcat

She is absolutely gorgeous and regal with her hair up. I love the brooch; my grandmother used to make brooches like that, one of which was purchased by Rose Kennedy.

Anonymous

Welllll, if you’re going to overdo a Canada theme, then Canada Day would be the best time to do so. I’m partial to red and cute bags so I think she looks impeccable. Love seeing her hair up, but girlfriend needs an eyeliner intervention.

Anonymous

Welllll, if you’re going to overdo a Canada theme, then Canada Day would be the best time to do so. I’m partial to red and cute bags so I think she looks impeccable. Love seeing her hair up, but girlfriend needs an eyeliner intervention.

Anonymous

Love the chignon. I’ll bet we’ll be seeing more of it.

Anonymous

She always dresses “literally” (costumey) though- the super military coat to the army function and the white tennis dress to wimbledon spring to mind. That being said, I do think the red and white outfit is super cute.

Anonymous

That sounds like a perfect 4th outfit. White with Red pinstripe sundress. Blue rose hat with stars shooting out. Like a firework display. Cheeky but fun.

Anonymous

Bless her for picking the right royal to emulate!

I don’t think that was too “Miss Canada”–it’s not like she wore a red dress with a white panel down the middle, sporting the red maple leaf on her chest. Akin to an American view, this would be, maybe a blue dress with a little red pocket square, and a white hat with a star nestled the way the leaf is–white star, but not against the blue field. Literal, but not grating.

http://profiles.google.com/ballinger.jl Jessica Ballinger

I love her hair up, but something about the way she smiled in those last 2 pictures just made me cringe. Her face looks pulled really, really, REALLY tight.

Anonymous

I love the hat. It’s so fanciful, sort if in the spirit of the 1930’s. If the red maple leaf was on a white hat it would be a bit much, but the red on red is not too literal to me. The dress is conservative and doesnt’t compete with the hat. I do wish she had worn her hair up and saved the down locks for the purple outfit. The diamond maple leaf brooch is marvelous!

Anonymous

I’d say the news is how much better HE looks without the tie & a little relaxed.

I think literal/parade float is the way to go at a Canada Day Celebration.

Anonymous

I know, right? It’s weird how different, and much better, William looks when he’s more casually dressed. He doesn’t even look like the same guy we saw in “The Cambridges in Canada: Episode 1″.

http://www.kittenmasks.com/ kittenmasks

It’s clear that her greatest asset is her smile.
She can pick as many plain clothes as she likes, but people will love her because she’s always smiling.

Beth G

The white dress is from her engagement photos. Yeah for her for more recycling!!!

Anonymous

I love my royals, and could look at pics of these two forever. I forget that she gets to wear MIL in law’s jewelry, which is another reason to love, but if she could have worn the pin somewhere else, like made it work with the gathered fabric really would have been unexpected.

sonictofu

I dunno, I liked it when she played it a lil less safe – for instance, the dress with the sheer panel she wore just before the wedding.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6P2LSFIDJ73YZLM4XK6HCZI67E Brad Watson

With all due respect, William looks like he’s hearing the blah-blah-blah-hockey-blah-blah-blah-Toller-Cranston speech for the blah-blahmpteenth time. Clap, honey – there’s a single malt in your immediate future, I promise.

Anonymous

Her teeth frighten me….

Anonymous

Oh, no, she looks much too severe with her hair up like that! I think it’s very unflattering. Love the dresses, the clutch, the maple leaf pin and even the maple leaf hat. I hope she keeps wearing showy hats and fascinators. I would love to see that trend catch on more in the US!

http://profiles.google.com/phyllis.craine Phyllis Craine

LOVE the brooch. Fabulous jewels are just like are just like in-ground pools, boats and vacation homes: it’s much better to close with people who own such with things than to actually own them yourself.

http://twitter.com/rachelruthlee Rachel Lee

That bun is ageing!

Anonymous

I can only hope that Cathy will help reverse the trend of women dressing like tarts and looking like idiots. She does look about 40 in the second photo but that’s not such a bad thing: she *could* be wearing something that made her look 19. It’s so nice to see a grown woman dressing like a woman. I honestly think we have forgotten…

Anonymous

Yes! There was a day when young girls wanted to be able to dress like their 30 & 40-something mothers, rather than the other way around. Hard to believe . . .

Connie Bontje

Surprised you didn’t mention the Maple Leaves on the fascinator! The Canadian press were a agog about that! In the sea of red and white on Parliment Hill on Canada Day, I thought she looked fine. I wonder if she will be wearing plaid at the Calgary Stampede though!

Connie Bontje

Surprised you didn’t mention the Maple Leaves on the fascinator! The Canadian press were a agog about that! In the sea of red and white on Parliment Hill on Canada Day, I thought she looked fine. I wonder if she will be wearing plaid at the Calgary Stampede though!

suzq

She wore her hair up! She wore her hair up!!!!

She’s looking splendid. I even like the goofy hat. Canadians love stuff like that.

Anonymous

She is just so winning. I LOVE that she is wearing that brooch, and it makes me imagine her meeting with Queen Elizabeth and, together, they go through her jewelry. And the Queen says, “Dear, I hope you will take this with you when I go to Canada.” There’s something about the link between them made even through the smbolic jewelry that is endearing.

Anonymous

The maple leaf hat made me smile, LOVE her hair up (and that it’s been pulled back on this trip), love how she seems to have an appropriate pin to wear for every country she visits. I think she looks great and very appropriate in both outfits.